Reader Reviews
Love's Labour's Lost (Shakespeare's Globe Theatre, West End)
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 | In his book @Will and Me' Dominic Dromgoole emphasises that an actor should always serve Shakespeare's text so it's surprising that he has chosen to produce such a physical comedy at the expense of the verse speaking. Perhaps it's an admission that even Shakespeare was capable of writing an occasional dud and Love's Labour's Lost is certainly one. I could happily have done without the pedantic wordplay of Christopher Godwin and John Bett, despite the quality of their performances, and the Spaniard Armado should have been consigned to the equivalent of the Elizabethan cutting room floor. Having said that the romantic jousting between the young lords and ladies is nicely done, although the girls seem to have some very current attitudes. As noted in the Standard, Gemma Atherton is very beautiful as Rosaline and, blessed with a lovely singing voice, must be destined for greater things. Overall this has been a disappointing season at teh Globe. Next year must show considerable improvement inless it is to be the xeclusive preserve of tourists and school parties. - David Baxter | 20 Sep 07 |
